Paris Mission President, Families of Injured Missionaries Speak Out Following Belgium Attacks

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have shared statements from the families of three of the four missionaries injured in Tuesday’s terrorist attacks in Belgium.

Three elders—Elder Richard Norby (66) of Lehi, Utah, Elder Joseph Empey (20) of Santa Clara, Utah, and Elder Mason Wells (19) of Sandy, Utah—were accompanying a sister to the airport who was on her way to an assignment in Ohio. Sister Fanny Rachel Clain (20) of Montélimar, France, had been serving in the France Paris Mission awaiting a visa that would allow her to travel to the United States. Clain had already passed through airport security, and was therefore no longer with the three elders accompanying her, when the explosion occurred.

Clain was hospitalized with minor injuries, while the elders, who were near the explosion, suffered severe injuries.

The families released the following statements this morning:

Wells Family Statement:

We are grateful that our son, Elder Mason Wells, survived the attack and is receiving quality medical care. We have spoken to him briefly and he feels blessed that he wasn’t injured more, given his close proximity to the bomb. He has undergone surgery to repair his Achilles heel and he’s also been treated for burns and shrapnel injuries. As a family, we feel the power of prayer from those we know and those who only heard Mason’s name for the first time today. We will continue to pray and hope for everyone affected by this tragedy.

—Chad and Kymberly Wells

Empey Family Statement:

This has been a difficult day for our family, and our hearts are broken for those injured or killed by the attacks in Belgium. We are grateful our son, Elder Joseph Dresden Empey, is alive and doing well. He has been treated for 2nd degree burns to his hands, face, and head, and surgery was just completed for shrapnel injuries to his legs. We have been in touch with him and he is grateful and in good spirits. We have also been in contact with his mission president. We are thankful for the outpouring of love and prayers from throughout the world, and we pray for all those affected by this tragedy. 

—Court and Amber Empey

Norby Family Statement:

Richard Norby, a missionary serving in the Paris, France mission was injured in the bombing of the Brussels Airport on Wednesday 22 March 2016.  He sustained several wounds from the shrapnel, second degree burns to his head and neck area, along with more severe trauma from shrapnel to his lower leg. After a lengthy surgery he was placed in a medically-induced coma, and will remain in this state for the next few days, with a lengthy recovery expected.  His wife, Pamela Norby was not at the airport at the time of the attack and is supporting him during this challenging time.

As his family, we wish to express our deep appreciation to his caring and competent medical staff and to all those who have expressed well-wishes and prayers on his behalf.  We wish to express our love to the Paris, France mission president, President Babin, his wife, and the fine missionaries. Our prayers go out to all those who were affected by this terrible tragedy and wish for the speedy recovery of all the wounded bystanders. 

—The Norby Family

Mormon Newsroom released an online interview with President Frederic J. Babin, of the France Paris Mission, late Tuesday afternoon. In the video interview, shared above, Babin expressed sorrow for those who have suffered, including the missionaries and their families.

“We pray for the families and all those who have suffered from this tragic day,” Babin said. “Four missionaries have been injured during the tragic events of [Tuesday] morning. They are doing OK and are being taken care of. We would like to thank all those who have been by their side and have been helping them to feel better.”

Despite the brutal attacks, Babin assures that all missionaries will continue to work and preach the gospel.

[pull_quote_center]We would like to thank [the missionaries] for all that they do as they are just wonderful missionaries, wonderful men and women who are sending to the world a message of peace, of joy. . . We believe that this message is the real solution for this world to be better.[/pull_quote_center]

Babin explained that following the attacks in Paris last November, the mission has been working with the missionaries, providing them with safety rules to ensure their protection no matter whether they are in France or Belgium.